Comunidad Valenciana records average hotel occupancy on the coast of 80% during August

Friday 3rd September 2021 – PRESS OFFICE with Mike Smith

The regional tourism secretary, Francesc Colomer, has reported that a survey on summer season occupation carried out by his department has shown that the average hotel occupancy on the Valencian coast during the month of August was 79.9% (of those hotels that were open), a figure that surpasses that of August 2020 by 27 points.

He added that the data had exceeded the expectations of a survey carried out earlier in the summer when it was estimated that occupancy in coastal hotels would reach just under 66% during August and claims that last minute bookings have resulted in much higher occupancy figures than expected. “The expectations we had were prudent due to the pandemic and the international context … but it seems that August behaved like any normal August.”

Stressing that the summer season and the month of August isn’t all that the tourist sector has to offer or rely on, Colomer spoke more of sustainability, stability and season adjustment of tourism in the region, explaining that “September could be quite interesting in terms of reservations, taking into account the current booking trend of leaving it until the last minute”, adding that if the evolution of the pandemic continues in its downward direction, and if the international markets start to return, then it could be a rather dynamic end of the year. “The data is demonstrating the strength of the sector in the region and its ability to retain tourists [who] see the Comunidad Valenciana as a safe destination”.

By areas, the hotel occupancy rates for August were as follows:

• Province of Valencia (excluding the city): 82.0% (+35% on August 2020)
• Province of Alicante (excluding Benidorm): 88.0% (+26%)
• Province of Castellón: 81.6% (+37.4%)
• The city of Valencia: 85.0% (+37.5%)
• Benidorm: 83.6% (+28.9%)

With regards to hotels in the interior of the region, a survey carried out by Turisme CV confirmed that there was an average occupancy of 61% whilst campsites ranged between 75% for plots to 85% for bungalows.

With regards to managed holiday apartments, average occupancy across the region has been estimated at 86.5% for August which, separated by areas, were as follows:

• Province of Valencia: 88.8% (+23.5% on August 2020)
• Province of Alicante (excluding Benidorm): 85.2% (+19.4%)
• Province of Castellón: 93.0% (+25.3%)
• Benidorm: 80.0% (+23%)

September Forecasts

The regional tourism secretary has advanced the estimates for September which, according to the responses to the survey carried out by Turisme CV, sees coastal hotels expecting an average close to 60%, with Benidorm forecasting a slightly higher figure of 65%, some 36% more than September 2020.

The forecasts, by coastal area, are as follows:

• Province of Valencia (excluding the city): 50.0% (+35% on September 2020)
• Province of Alicante (excluding Benidorm): 58.7% (+29%)
• Province of Castellón: 56.6% (+38%)
• The city of Valencia: 54.5% (+29.4%)
• Benidorm: 65.0% (+38%)

As for hotels in the interior of the Comunidad Valenciana, the occupancy rate is forecast to be close to 47% during the month of September, with campsites expecting 35% for plots and 50% for bungalows. Managed tourist apartments foresee an occupancy of 54% for September.